‘GAZETTEER OF PERSIA VOL. I Comprising the Provinces of ASTARÁBÁD, SHÁHRUD-BÚSTAN, KHÚRÁSÁN, AND SÍSTÁN’ [‎201r] (408/722)

coils of telegraph wire, averaging over 150 lbs. each, delivered them in
Isfahan, 295 miles from Shiraz, on the fifteenth day. But this was an
extraordinary performance.
Ordinary camels will not carry more on the average than 400 lbs., or
march more than 15 miles a day for any long distance.
Camels are bred principally by the nomads. Considerable numbers are
found in the northern part of Fars, whence they make one trip every winter
to the sea at Bushahr. In the west they are led in strings ; in the east,
driven separately.
The mule of Persia is equal to any in the world as a beast of
burden, though he does not come up to his gigantic
Mules. Spanish relative as a draught animal. When well
fed and cared for, it is astonishing to what a distance a good mule
will travel, and the weight he will carry. From Abadih to Shiraz,
a distance of 160 miles, has been marched in the month of August in
five days, with 12 or 15 mules carrying at least 240 lbs. each, besides their
saddles. Their average load, when carrying merchandise in bales properly
made up, is 320 lbs., exclusive of saddles ; and the regular marching time
from Shiraz to Isfahan, 295 miles, is I f days; from Isfahan to Tihran,
250 miles, 12 davs. This is the autumn and winter rate, when the mules
are fed on barley and chopped straw: 7 lbs. of the former and 14 lbs. of the
latter is the usual ration. In spring and early summer, when they graze,
the mules carry the same loads, but do half-marches, or half every other
day.
The saddle is simply a huge pad, high-peaked before and behind, without
a scrap of iron in it. It is kept in its place by a breastplate and breeching,
and is nevtr taken off, except when the mule is cleaned. The load after
being slung across the saddle, is secured by a leather surcingle with loop
of iron at each end These are brought together by several turns of a
leather thong pulled with all the force of a muleteer’s arms, his foot
being pressed against the beast's belly as a purchase. Thus secured, the
loads' rarelv shift, and sorebacksare very uncommon. The muleteers always
walk. Each gang of 10 or 12 mules is led by a pony, gaily caparisoned,
and furnishedWith a couple of large, hollow, sounding bells and several
smaller and shriller ones.
Up to 20 miles or more, on a good road, mules average 3 5 miles
an hour. A good baggage-mule costs from 36 to 60
# £ 12 to £ 20 . tumans, and "the hire averages about 15(7. a day.
In the interior of Persia the passes over the hills are generally easy and
passable for artillery, with little or no improvement.
Obstacles. Those in the southern, western, and northern moun-
tains are mostly impracticable. The rivers of the interior are always easily
fordable, and, on the great roads, crossed by bridges In the vicinity ot
the mountains, all over the country, floods occasionally till the torrents, but
never last more than a few hours.
The canals and watercourses, which seam the country in all inhabited
parts are a far more serious obstacle. On the roads and between villages
they are crossed by footbridges only ; and even these aye often miles apart
111 "many places the watercourses are often 12 or 15 feet deep, a nd borde red
* Vide remarks of Major Probya regarding mutes on pages 333-54.